False: Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja understands and comprehends English.
Is it possible for someone to occupy one of the highest offices in a country where English is the official language and not understand it?
It is rhetoric, but probably yes, but we wonder how she can be trusted to represent the country at business meetings without an interpreter, as in this case.
The Claim
A claim shared on X by Kampala Journal News (KJNews) alleging that Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, failed to understand English during a high-level meeting aimed at attracting investors at the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in China is false.
The post, which suggests incompetence and attempts to undermine the Prime Minister’s credibility and literacy levels, reads:
“PM Nabbanja fails to understand English at top meeting in China, where she has gone to woo investors.”
The facts
On June 12, 2025, Hon. Nabbanja was in China with the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister of Trade, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, and other government dignitaries for the opening ceremony of the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
It is true that during that meeting she met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as seen in the picture used by the Kampala Journal.
But whether she failed to understand English while at this meeting is something worth clarifying.
Evidence
According to the Office of the Prime Minister’s X account, they confirm the PM Nabbanja’s visit to China with other dignitaries.
“Prime Minister of Uganda @R_Nabbanja has arrived in China for a working visit. Nabbanja is representing the @Government at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in the city of Changsha in China,” reads the post
“On arrival, the Premier was received by the Deputy Director General of Guangdong provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Mr Cang Feng, together with Uganda’s Consul General, Ambassador Judith Nsababera. Prime Minister Nabbanja is accompanied by the Minister for @MEMD_Uganda @NankabirwaRS, Trade Minister @FMwebesa1 and other government dignitaries,” stated the next part of the post.
Contrary to KJNews’ statement that the PM failed to understand English in that meeting, media reports indicate that she held productive meetings with Chinese officials and actively engaged in discussions aimed at fostering investment in Uganda, as reported here, here, here, here, and here.
A video from the event shows her speaking English fluently without the aid of a translator during official engagements.
“Your Excellency, let us take this opportunity to strengthen our brotherly relationship and further explore new areas of cooperation. I also want to take this opportunity to invite you to Uganda.” Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said during the meeting.
The Prime Minister also highlighted their long-standing relationship in which both countries have benefited, with Uganda having a new power project at Karuma Dam constructed by Sinohydro Corporation, a Chinese company, to which the Chinese government noted that both countries have met each other halfway in terms of our cooperation.
“We have a very promising field, infrastructure construction, navigation satellites and new energy, and a cultural and tourism broadcasting system,” responded the Chinese government
She also tabled the projects in Uganda that need funding, like the Kibuye-Busenga Express project, infrastructure development for digitalising health information, the Uganda Backbone Infrastructure project, phase number 7 of the construction of the East African crude oil pipeline, electrification of the infrastructure of the standard gauge railway, expansion of Entebbe Express airport and support to Uganda Development Cooperation (UDC), the investment arm of our government, and support to appropriate agricultural technologies, among others.”
“The government of Uganda reaffirms its commitments to strengthen bilateral relationships with the People’s Republic of China,” stated the Chinese government.
The Chinese government were very delighted and hopeful that their relationship would grow in a healthy, stable and sustainable manner. And promised to take Uganda’s requests very seriously.
All these conversations were had in English, with a translator on the side of the Chinese.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister has a documented history of using English fluently in both national and international forums without interpreters, as seen here, here and here.
Verdict
False, there is no evidence to show proof that Rt Hon. Nabbanja did fail to understand English at the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On the contrary, she actively deliberated and communicated clearly in English to advance Uganda’s investment agenda.
The claim weaponises language fluency, particularly English, Uganda’s official language, as a proxy for intelligence. Kindly dismiss it.